Overview

This is a promotional CD that came with the Japanese copy of Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha VS King Abaddon. It contains all the new compositions made by Shoji Meguro for the sequel of Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha VS The Soulless Army plus some arrangements from the previous soundtrack. While the latter spanned two discs for a total of just over an hour, this album consist of only one CD and lasts around fifty minutes. So, how does Meguro fare with this one?

Body

The album opens with the first of three arrangements from the previous game. We are treated to a fresh and renewed “Theme”, first heard in the Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha Vs The Soulless Army Complete Music Works. The track mantains the playful and jovial feel of the original through the use of trumpet. However, it adds some new elements to the mix, such as a shakuhachi playing in the intro, a new piano line that gives somewhat of a light hearted feeling, and a greater focus on percussion. Overall, I think this piece manages to better its predecessor and represents a great opener to the soundtrack despite its short length.

Reminiscent of some character themes from the Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, “Prologue” opens with a slow and poignant piano and strings duet. The forces suddenly dissolve to make room for a steady drums and cymbals line backed up by a sleek bass leading to the piece’s conclusion. Smooth and without too many claims, this track is certainly not a highlight in the soundtrack and has limited instrumentation, but is ultimately decent. What I guess is Narumi Detective Agency’s theme is a laid back and relaxing jazzy piece, featuring piano, light percussion, and a lazy bass. The tune is catchy and quietly runs for the one minute duration of the piece. Very short and quite repetitive, but a nice addition to the score. Lively and upbeat, “Talk” is a jazzy tune that must be the one played while talking to demons in battle much like previous Megaten titles.

“New Battle” is a return to Meguro’s roots. It is very similar to the upbeat battle tracks heard in the soundtrack for Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, characterized by powerful and persistent use of drums, cymbals, and electric guitars and a final moment of relief marked by a gripping piano melody. One of the boss battle themes, “Decisive Battle” features some ominous electric guitars and cymbals in the intro and then develops in a solid rock piece with captivating guitars and trumpet motifs backed up by heavy percussion. It really delivers the feeling of fighting a though battle against a feared enemy while struggling not to fall prey to him. Probably another boss battle theme, “Demon Battle” is also reminiscent of Nocturne with its heavy drum beat and flanking electric guitars. The downside of this theme is the sudden interruption just before the loop after the climax that makes it lose part of its charm.

I have a sort of mixed feeling for “Battle -Raidou- 2008”. This is certainly a great piece as an arrangement of the battle theme of the previous Raidou Kuzunoha game; that theme wasn’t even included in the soundtrack for unknown reasons and instead was part of the Devil Summoner Hyper Rearrange Collection. However, I feel that Meguro made the track less particular, reusing virtually the entire electric guitar line and simply emphasizing the percussion, which are now more powerful, uniforming the track to the overall promotional CD sound. “Tsukudo-Cho 2008” track originally included only in the Devil Summoner Hyper Rearrange Collection. This time I think Meguro managed to better himself, adding a new and refreshing character to the jazzy keyboard rhythm of the original with larger use of trumpets and stronger funk elements. A great arrangement and a good addition to this soundtrack.

Among the most light-hearted tracks, “Treat Me Well From Now On” a nice joyful and upbeat piece. As dictated by Raidou Kuzunoha’s policy, it is led by an Hammond organ, a playful trumpet, electric guitars riffs, and steady percussion. “The Family of Tsukigata” is led by joyful and carefree woodwinds backed up by a steady beat and some occasional interventions by an Hammond organ. “Adventure” is another relaxing laid back piece featuring trumpet and sax together with a subtle and modest piano melody. Nothing exceptional but, as before, it’s a good listen. “Whole Sadness” begins as a duet for strings and a melancholic piano is enhanced by a trumpet that begins to play a slow and reassuring motif. Shortly later, the percussion kicks in creating a solemn and hopeful ballad that permeates emotion.

Feeling ominous and dangerous, “Determination” begins as an ominous track given the scratching electric guitar accompanied by the usual heavy drum beat, before taking an upbeat twist. “The Wind of Tsukigata” features a heavy drum beat, suspended strings, and a somber piano line. Unfortunately, we are trated to a mediocre piece that surely serves well its purpose of creating tension in the game, but that’s not very interesting to listen to in a stand alone basis. “The Summoner of Tsukigata” and “The Darkness of Tsukigata” also lurk in darker territory. The event themes “Omen” and “Misfortune” begins with tremolo strings and militaristic percussion, then build up tension during their somewhat short length. “Movement” and “Apocalypse” ar also useless and uninteresting on a stand alone basis, though it will most likely have its merits in the game.

After a short introduction for synth, some fast paced percussion join in “The Final Decisive Battle”. Catchy tuned electric guitars lead this gripping track of Meguro’s typical rock flavor. Again, it will satisfy the composer’s fans, but some might be disappointed by the lack of variety in instrumentation. The closing ending theme for this promotional CD is, as expected, the one that plays during the game credits and is particularly cheerful and upbeat. At the beginning it features some militaristic percussion and a hopeful piano motif, but then an electric guitar and trumpet join in and the track comes alive revealing all of its lively and optimistic spirit. Halfway through, a Hammond organ makes its appearence and performs in a joyful solo after which the trumpet comes back with its already known motif. This is without a doubt a great track and a good conclusion to this soundtrack.

Summary

This promotional CD is stylistically very close to Meguro’s work on the soundtrack for Raidou Kuzunoha VS The Soulless Army. However, the composer seems to have returned to the more heavy and crude tonalities of Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne for the battle tracks featured in the soundtrack rather than continuing the path of experimenting those jazz, rock and electronica fusions he delighted us in the more varied soundtrack for Raidou Kuzunoha’s previous adventure. Nothing new from Meguro then, but rather a good rehash of the excellent rock he has accustomed us to. So in the end, this is sure to satisfy all Megaten fans and especially Meguro aficionados, but those who hoped for something new or already own the Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha VS The Soulless Army Complete Music Works may find this album something of a letdown.